By Michael Carvell

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Hillgrove, which is ranked No. 10 in Class AAAA, had one of its biggest victories in school history Friday.

The Hawks, led by Georgia Tech commitment Synjyn Days at quarterback, went on the road to post a 14-3 upset over No. 7 Rome.

“The biggest thing is that we matched Rome’s physical style of play,” Hillgrove coach Phillip Ironside said. “It was very similar to last year’s game ... very even in the first half, and then they took over. I guess last night it was our turn to have a strong second half.”

Hillgrove (2-0) has another test this week against No. 6 Sequoyah, which also defeated the Hawks last year. Can Hillgrove register an upset again? “We feel good about our team,” Ironside side said. “The kids have really been working hard since last season, and we feel like it’s paying off for us.”

Rome keys Valdosta success

Playing in the shadows of county-rival Lowndes, Valdosta has quietly defeated its first two opponents, Jenkins and Windsor Forest, by a combined score of 112-6. Jay Rome, son of Valdosta football legend Stan Rome and one of the state’s top prospects in the Class of 2011, caught six passes for 96 yards and one touchdown against Windsor Forest on Friday. “I think Jay’s very, very special ... He’s just a winner,” coach Rick Tomberlin told the Valdosta Daily Times.

Elsewhere around the state:

● Jefferson is 2-0 and ranked No. 10 in Class AA under veteran coach T McFerrin, who was coaxed out of retirement to guide the Dragons this year. McFerrin, who has 279 career wins, last coached in 2004 at South Gwinnett. He has Jefferson off to a blistering 2-0 start, including Friday’s 56-16 win over Dawson County. During one stretch in the first half, the Dragons scored on four straight plays, including punt returns of 56 yards by J.J. Damons and 84 yards by Darius Minor. “I was worried this week because we were still on a high from beating Commerce [in the opener],” McFerrin told the Athens Banner-Herald. “But I’m proud of the way we came out and played.”

● North Oconee refused to let a few penalty flags get in the way Friday. According to the Gainesville Times, the Titans were flagged 20 times for a total 165 yards, yet defeated Oglethorpe County 34-16. North Oconee’s Brandon Whitlock rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns.

● Gainesville quarterback Blake Sims, who has committed to Alabama, got off to a rough start, fumbling on his first possession against Franklin County. However, it didn’t turn out to be a bad sign of things to come, as Sims recovered to score three touchdowns in the 41-0 win by the Elephants, ranked No. 2 in AAA. “I just put that fumble behind me and kept playing,” Sims told the Times. “The only thing I thought about was holding it tight.”

● Westside-Macon wide receiver Ronnie Carswell, another Alabama commitment, had a play for the highlight reel in the 54-0 win over Forest Park. The speedy Carswell pick up a punt on a bounce with defenders a few feet away and sprinted for a 52-yard touchdown. “I trusted my boys to set up the blocks while I was picking up the ball,” Carswell told the Macon Telegraph. “It was big. That was my first one.”

● Baldwin, ranked No. 4 in AAA, survived a scare from Troup in a 20-13 win. Troup drove down to the 6-yard line in the game’s closing minutes, but failed to score, according to the LaGrange News. Troup’s Jacorious Cotton scored a touchdown on a 90-yard interception return in the third quarter.